Solenoid construction



Sept. 15, 1959 F. E. HARWOOD 2,904,729

SOLENOID CONSTRUCTION Filed May 20, 1957 [7/ //Lg 5\ .94 j? 57;

Z0? if 52 r50 62 6-0 I 769 INVEN TOR.

60? 49M 5. Z a/Zwvvd SOLENOID CONSTRUCTION lifloyd E. Hal-wood, Ypsilanti, Mich., assignor to Parsons Corporation, Traverse City, Mich., a corporation of [Mi hi Application May 20, 1957, Serial No. 660,201 2 Claims. (Cl. 317-491) This invention relates to a magnetic solenoid construction, and, more particularly, to a solenoid construction for use with a punching apparatus.

In many existing mechanisms for punching or perforating information in a coded form, such as a diff erential l -lollerith code or a Baudot code, into a record forth, such as a tape or card, a plurality, of i control or interposer elements are selectively set up prior to the operation of a punching ram or head so that only the selected one or more of a group of spaced punch elements controlled by" the interposer elements are effective to perforate a coded entry in the record medium. When a plurality of data entries are to be simultaneously made, it is generally necessary to provide anumber of interpose'r elements and their associated actuating means which 'is' 'eq'u'al to the product of the number of separate entries tob e concurrently effected and the number of bits in the notation or code in which each entry is expressed. In some applications, the number of interposer elements and actuators therefor becomes very large with an attendant increase in the cost of the punching unit and the space required for its installation. Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved solenoid construction. 1 Another object is to provide new and improved actuating means for an interposer element in a punching apparatus. i

A further object is to provide electromagnetically controlled interposer elements having new and improved magnetic'field and armature structure. i Another object is to provide a'solenoid construction which can be quickly and economically fabricated and assembled. i

In accordance withtheseand many otherv objects, an embodiment of th'e present invention comprises a somewhatU-shaped magnetic tieldfs'tructure including apair of spaced parallel legs joinedfby' a bight portion, the

atfiil a outer free ends of the'legs providing pcileffazes. An*

operating winding is disposed'b'etween 'the l'egs of the U shapedifield structurefand is removablyiretained in thisposition by a nonmagneticretaining'clip bridging the two legs, of theiieldstructure. "The winding is further provided with a rectangular opening disposed in alignrrient' with' the bight portionfof the field structure. The armature comprises a somewhat cross-shaped,integral, anduniplanar'starnpinglot magnetic material having a pair'of aligned' longitudinally extending arms and a pair oftransversely extendinglarmsl first longitudinally exte ing arm of the armatureis slidably received within the opening formed in the. windingwith its end positioned ad iii h bight. of the fieldstructure. In this position, the ends of the transversely extending arms are disposed adjacent thepole faces defined by the free ends of the legs of the field structure. Resilient biasing means are con nected to the second longitudinally extending arr'niof the armature construction so as to bias botlrof the transtst ysr en ins. a ma way from the pole faces and so 2,904,729 Ice ramm d s n- .1.19

as to bias the end of the first longitudinally extendingarm away from the bight portion of the field structure.

When the winding is energized, the armature structure moves against the action of the resilient biasing means so that the transversely extending arms move closely adjacent the pole faces and the end of the first longitudinally extending arm moves into engagement with an anti-residual plate disposed on the bight portion of the field structure. The second longitudinally extending armof thearmature is provided with a notched or cutout portion, which normally is disposed in alignment with a punch element, but which, upon operation of the solenoid construction is displaced out of alignment with the punch element. This displacement blocks movement of the associatedpunch element so that, when the head is actuated, the blocked element is effective to punch the record medium. When the energization of the winding is terminated, the resilient biasing means restores the armature to its normal position.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the longitudinally extending arms of the armature are displaced jout of alignment with each other so that the resiliently biased arm is offset from the axis of the rectangular opening in the operating winding, This offset arm is to perforate the record medium.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of an electromagnetically controlled interposer assembly embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken alongline 3 3 in Fig. 2 assuming that the complete structure is disclosed therein;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 in Fig. 2, again assuming that the complete assembly is show therein; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of an interposer assembly of the present invention including a modified armature structure. v @In general, the electromagnetically controlled interposer assembly 3 of the present invention includes asome- 10. A generally cross-shaped armature, indicated generally v as 16, is slidably mounted within the, opening 14 sothat, when thewinding 12 is energized, the armature 16 moves from the position illustrated in Fig. 2 against the resilient action of a biasing spring 18 to a position in engagement with the field structure 10. This movement of' the armature, 16 moves anotch or cutout portion19 formed in the armature lfiout'ofalignment with a related punch element (not shown thereby rendering this punch element effective to perforate a record media during the perforating operatiom When thewinding, 12' is no longer energized, the spring ls restores the armature :16 to. a normal position,which is determined by stop meanstnot shown)" Referring now m ore specifically. to the i C 9 I. tion of the fieldstructurelfl, this structure, which is fabrh cated from pa ainagnetic'fsheet material, includes apair 'o'f' spaced and allellegs 20 and22 joined n t nd by'a bight' erson 24:- The outerfree ends of thi'gs 20 and 22 provide a pair of pole faces 20a and 22a, respectively. The field structure is both integral and uniplanar in nature and, accordingly, is readily fabricated by a single stamping operation which reduces the cost and time of forming the parts of the assembly 8.

To provide anti-residual means, a nonmagnetic and somewhat H-shaped plate 25 is detachably mounted on the field structure 10. The plate 25 is notched at its opposite ends to slidingly receive the legs and 22 so that the plate is positioned on the field structure 10 in engagement with the bight portion 24 thereof. The plate 25 is engaged by one end of the armature 16 when the assembly 8 is operated so as to prevent this armature from striking the pole faces 20a and 22a and so as to maintain the reluctance of the magnetic circuit at a high enough level that the interposer assembly 3 releases immediately upon termination of the energization of the coil assembly 12.

The energizing means or coil assembly 12 comprises a bobbin formed by a pair of substantially rectangular end plates 26 and 28, which are joined to the outer ends of a hollow rectangular member defining the opening 14. The end plates 26 and 28 and the hollow rectangular member 30 are formed of dielectric material so as to insulate a winding 32 comprising a plurality of convolutions of bare magnet wire from contact with the field structure 10. The winding 32 is provided with a pair of input leads 32a and 32b. The outer surface of the coil 32 is covered by a layer 34 of dielectric material which preferably comprises a web of material having an adhesively coated inner surface for securing the layer 34 to the outer convolutions of the coil 32.

To permit the coil assembly 12 to be detachably mounted on the field structure 16, each of the end plates 26 and 28 is provided with a pair of opposed cutout portions aligned with the opening 14, similar to a pair of notches 28a formed in the end plate 28. When the legs 20 and 22 and the notches in the end plates 26 and 28 are moved into alignment, the coil assembly 12 and the field structure 10 are moved inwardly toward each other until the plate 26 engages the residual plate 25. The sliding engagement of the legs 20 and 22 serves to guide and direct the relative movement between the coil assembly 12 and the field structure 10 and to insure that the opening 14 is moved into and held in alignment with the bight portion 24 of the field structure 10.

In order to detachably secure the assembly 12 in this adjusted position on the field structure 10, a somewhat U-shaped resilient clip 36 formed of nonmagnetic ma-; terial is provided. The clip 36 includes a pair of arcuately formed legs 36:: and 36b, which are received Within a pair of grooves 201) and 22b (Figs. 2 and 3) formed in the legs 20 and 22, respectively. In this position, the intermediate or bight portion of the clip 36 engages the end plate 28 to hold the coil assembly 12 on the field structure 10 with the end plate 26 in engagement withthe bight portion 24 of the field structure. When the coil assembly 12 is to be removed from the field structure 10, the clip 36 is manually apprehended and re-' moved so that the coil assembly 12 can be displaced from the legs 20 and 22.

The armature 16 is of an integral uniplanar construc tion adapted to be formed from a sheet of paramagnetic material by a single stamping operation and includes a pair of longitudinally extending arms 40 and 42 and a pair of transversely extending arms 44 and 46. To detachably mount the armature 16 on the field structure 10, the arm 42 is slidably mounted within the opening formed in the member 30. In the normal position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the transverse arm 44 is disposed adjacent and spaced from the pole face 20a, the transverse arm 46 is disposed adjacent and spaced from the pole face 22a, and an end surface 42a of the arm 42 is disposed adjacent and spaced from the residual plate 25 and the bight 24. The outer end of the arm 40 is provided 4 l with an aperture 48 for receiving one end of the tension spring 18. The spring 18 cooperates with a stop means (not shown) to hold the armature 16 in the normal position illustrated in the drawings. In this position, the notched or cutout portion 19 in the armature 16 is disposed in alignment with a punch element or a control structure movable therewith (not shown) so that, when the punching apparatus is actuated, the punch element associated with the interposer assembly 8 is free to move.

In operation, when the coil assembly 12 is energized, flux patterns are produced in two separate paths tending to move the armature 16 to the right, as viewed in'Fig. 2 of the drawings. A first of these paths extends from the arm 42 through the arm 44, across the air gap to the pole face 20a, through the leg 20 and one-half of the bight portion 24 to the plate 25, and thence across the air gap to return to the arm 42 through the end surface 42a thereof. The other flux path extends from the arm 42 through the arm 46, across the air gap to the pole face 22a, through the leg 22 and a portion of the bight portion 24, and thence across the air gap separating the end surface 42a from the plate 25. The flux patterns in these two separate paths provide forces tending to reduce the reluctance of the air gaps between the arms 44 and 46 and the adjacent pole faces 20a and 22a and between the end surface 42a and the bight portion 24.

Accordingly, the armature 16 is moved to the right (Figs. 1 and 2) against the spring 18 so that the arms 44 and 46 move into close proximity to the pole faces 20a and 22a, respectively, and so that the end surface 42a of the arm 42 moves into engagement with the plate 25, thereby providing a lower reluctance path for holding the armature 16 in its operated position. In this position, the cutout portion 19 on the arm is displaced from alignment with its related punch or control element so that, when the punching apparatus is subsequently operated, the punch or control element bears against the arm 40 to cause the perforation of the related position on the record medium. When the energization of the coil assembly 12 is terminated, the return spring 18 moves the armature 16 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, to return the armature 16 to the normal position illustrated therein.

Fig. 5 of the drawings illustrates a modified interposer assembly 50 which is identical to the assembly 8 with the exception that an improved integral and uniplanar armature 52 is provided. The armature 52 includes a pair of aligned transverse arms 54 and 56 for cooperating with the pole faces of the field structure and a pair of longitudinally extending arms 58 and 60 which are displaced from each other. The arm 58 is slidably mounted within the opening on the coil assembly, and the arm 60 is offset from the axis or center line of this opening. The offset relation of the arms 58 and 60 aids in reducing the size of the punching mechanism. The arm 60 is connected to a tension spring 62 for biasing the armature 52 away from the field structure.

When the assembly 50 is in the released position shown in Fig. 5, a punch or punch control element (not shown) is aligned with a reduced diameter portion 60a of the arm 60 so that, when the punch mechanism is actuated, the related punch element is not effective to punch the record medium. However, when the assembly 50 is operated, the armature 52 is displaced to the right, as viewed in Fig. 5, so that an enlarged end portion 60b of the arm 60 moves into alignment with the punch element. When the punching mechanism is then actuated, movement of the related punch element is blocked by engagement with the end portion 60b and the record medium is perforated.

In view of the above detailed description, it is apparent that the electromechanically controlled interposer assemblies 8 and 50 of the present invention, in utilizing a field structure and an armature structure consisting solely of uniplanar and integral parts, can be easily and economically fabricated since the magnetic portions of this assembly are capable of being formed by a single stamping operation. Further, by the provision of the interlocking guide portions on the field structure and the coil assembly 12, the coil assembly is easily mounted on the field structure in a proper position in which the opening 14 for receiving the arm 42 of the armature 16 is positioned in alignment with the bight portion 24. Accordingly, the solenoid or interposer constructions 8 and 50 are easily and economically constructed with a minimumnumber of parts, many of which are capable of formation by a single stamping machine operation.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the details of two embodiments thereof, it should be understood that many other modifications may be :provided by those skilled in the art which fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A solenoid construction comprising an integral and uniplanar U-shaped field structure including a pair of spaced and parallel legs joined by a bight portion, the outer free ends of said legs forming pole faces; a coil bobbin including spaced top and bottom plates con- ,nected by a centrally disposed portion defining an opening, said top and bottom plates each including a pair of opposite recessed portions transversely aligned with said opening, said coil bobbin being slidably mounted on said field structure with each of said parallel legs received in one of the recessed portions formed in each of said top and bottom plates so that said bottom plate is disposed adjacent said bight portion with said opening in alignment therewith; an operating winding mounted on said coil bobbin between said top and bottom plates; a nonmagnetic resilient clip detachably mounted on and resiliently bearing against the free ends of said legs andbearing against said top wall to detachably secure said coil bobbin and said winding on said field structure; an armature movably mounted on said field structure, said armature comprising an integral and uniplanar member formed by a pair of longitudinally extending arms and a pair of transversely extending arms, said transversely extending arms being disposed adjacent said pole faces and one of said longitudinally extending arms being slidably disposed in said opening for movement toward and away from said bight portion, said opening in said coil bobbin providing the sole means for guiding movement of said one longitudinally extending arm relative to said solenoid construction.

2. The solenoid construction set forth in claim 1 including resilient means connected to the other of said longitudinally extending arms for biasing said pair of transversely extending arms away from said pole faces, said other longitudinally extending arm being displaced out of alignment with said one longitudinally extending arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,428,712 Kipke Oct. 7, 1947 2,459,078 Jeffrey Jan. 11, 1949 2,715,199 Bogue et al. Aug. 9, 1955 

